Buffalo Man Sentenced for Selling Deadly Heroin Cocktail that Resulted in the Death of a Local Man

NOV 04 (BUFFALO, N.Y.) - James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York, and William J. Hochul, Jr., United States Attorney for the Western District of New York announced that Peter N. Militello, 34, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl and heroin, was sentenced to 360 months in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated, “Law enforcement can’t change the fact that heroin and fentanyl use leads to overdose deaths; deaths of people whose lives were cut too short. However, this prosecution hopefully brings some closure to their loved ones and causes others who distribute fentanyl-laced heroin not to make the same choices that Peter Militello made.”

“Today’s sentencing concludes the first ever prosecution of a drug dealer who killed his customer with his illegal product,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “Successfully tackling the deadly opiate epidemic that is sweeping across our community will take many working together. As was also shown by our prosecution of a medical doctor this week, our Office intends to do its part."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who handled the case, stated that between January 25, 2010 and June 6, 2013, the defendant sold heroin on several occasions in the City of Buffalo. On May 23, 2013, Militello sold a heroin and fentanyl mixture to an individual residing in Buffalo. Several hours later, the man was found dead in his residence by a family member. An autopsy performed on the man found that he died as a result of acute intoxication from the heroin and fentanyl mixture.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Buffalo Resident Office, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, New York Division, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zack.